M-113A2 APC - Late 1980s with Tow launcher - Build

[Raminator]

Top-tier as always, Louis. I especially like your inventive mounting for the motors with the universal joints. I'm always impressed by how you manage to fit so much functionality and mechanical complexity into a small enough space to allow that level of detail, too.

[lmcq11]

Hi guys, thank you for your strong encouragements. Really, I am just a modeller with some basic tools and a small plasticard and brass reserve.

After having built or upgraded most 'affordable' kits on the market, this is what I have to do to keep creative... and it is fascinating.

Warning; although I could not believe it at first, it is actually possible at one point to be totally fed up with building WW2 Panzers and Shermans.

Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi,

This post is for the electronics. Before going further with the detailing, i decided it was wise to finish the installation of all the electronics, placement of the required cabling, and do all the testing.

Here, a Clark TK-20 series Control unit is installed against the bulkhead. The Flysky receiver is on the right. All the connections have been made and awaiting placement.

M-113 RC electronics

A HL speaker is installed at the front.

M-113 RC electronics

A Zippy 1000 battery is what can fit with the remaining space. I know many modeller like to place their electronics in very sharp and ordered manners, this is not the case here. This build is all about using the available space allocated on the real M113 engine area and free the space for the interior detailing and viewing.

M-113 RC electronics

I reworked the Tow launcher wiring to have only 2 wires coming out of the launcher instead of 4, as per real thing. I linked the two LEDs together. The left wire is connected to the TOW missile guidance unit on the left wall, the other going to the battery area.

M-113 RC electronics

M-113 RC electronics

A LED had been inserted in the very visible interior light at the back, drilled through the Verlinden resin part . I was forced to mount it on the wall instead of the roof because the roof is removable and i do not want any wiring attached to it.

M-113 RC electronics

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The effect is convincing.

M-113 RC electronics

View of the interior at this time. Another LED was installed on the left. I am noticing that an extra LED is required for the driver area, front area, right panel, as per reference. It should be much nicer next time.

M-113 RC electronics

Front lights and TOW missile launcher in action.

M-113 RC electronics

And finally, here is a YOUTUBE video of the testing of the electronics

https://youtu.be/hQws4UaY1Q8

Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi, Continuing with the interior

No, this is not a Star Wars Imperial drone, it is a folded Verlinden Tow Launcher tripod on a scratch built M-113 mount, for dismounted use by the crew. I imagine it is not always possible to position the vehicle with line of sight and the crew need to dismount the launcher for firing, or setting up ambush under trees, etc. Building it was a small model on its own.

Tow launcher pedestal

Tow launcher pedestal

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I have built the mount using the only reference I could find, below. I had to switch around the roof attachment clamp because it ended up touching the roof in an inconvenient location.

Tow launcher pedestal

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Tow launcher pedestal

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Installed on front right side of vehicle.

Tow launcher pedestal

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Tow launcher pedestal

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Tow launcher pedestal

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This summer is hot and beautiful. I have taken a habit of doing all my modelling outside. It really helps with the cleanup of all the cutting and sanding residue, just water hose the whole place... and I usually have a nice sunset telling me it is time to close shop. Something I missed with winter modelling in the basement.

Tow launcher pedestal

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Tow launcher pedestal

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Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi, more interior detailing

The Tow launcher should have a night vision unit mounted on top of the daylight aiming unit. I decided to model the storage case for it.

M-113 interior

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I had no measurements so the size is guess work based on the above drawing. The core is a 6 Pin Lego block. Those drawings are not scale so I had to make it fit the allocated area.

M-113 interior

M-113 interior

I added a light in the driver area, modelled on the Verlinden part in the back.

M-113 interior

M-113 interior

Overview of the interior, with most of the structural items installed, it is almost finished, just a few more minor items to add.

M-113 interior

Overview of interior lighting. It is better with the light in the driver area but there is still a dark area in the front right. So, i will have to make another light, installed on the left panel, facing the front right area.

M-113 interior

M-113 interior

M-113 interior

On next step, I will install the side skirts.

Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi, this post is for the side skirts

The Verlinden skirts are very nice and can be used but should not be glued. They need to be made removable in order to service the tracks and wheels.

M-113 side skirts

The molded in bolts on both front and back have been replaced by real brass bolts that can be unscrewed to remove the side skirts, like the real thing. No need to design anything fancy here. It looks good too.

M-113 side skirts

M-113 side skirts

The skirts have the required curves. As the tracks are a bit large and the Verlinden parts are quite thick, I removed about 1mm of resin in thickness on the inside of the skirts so that the tracks do not touch them in any area when moving around.

M-113 side skirts

M-113 side skirts

Next step is to finish the interior.

Regards, Louis

[HERMAN BIX]

Just staggering..............

[lmcq11]

Hi,

Here is the finished M-113A2 interior.

I have improved things a bit since the M-113A1 ACAV build, such as;
- more realistic interior lighting
- lowered floor even with the rear door. This required the Ludwigs suspensions holders to be reduced in height.
- Detailed driver area
- Servo based ramp opening mechanism

Below, I reworked the pins on the night vision storage box, they were too large compared to reference drawing. Also added the locking mechanism for the rear ramp on both sides.

1/16 RC M-113 interior

Added another light behind the driver. The fake communications and electrical wires between all the components will only be added after painting. This will significantly improve the look.

1/16 RC M-113 interior

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Grab straps were added to the roof

1/16 RC M-113 interior

This is the finished interior prior to painting.

1/16 RC M-113 interior

1/16 RC M-113 interior

1/16 RC M-113 interior

1/16 RC M-113 interior

1/16 RC M-113 interior

1/16 RC M-113 interior

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Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Hi,

Here is a rainy vacation Friday afternoon project; a folding M2 machine gun mount for the M-113A2.

The regular triangular MG mount on the M-113 cupola has been removed on later TOW launching version because it was in the way of the TOW gunners. It was replaced by a mount with a folding mechanism, allowing the commander to lower the M2 .50 Cal MG on the side. See lower left picture below.

M-113 with TOW launcher cupola MG mount

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M-113 with TOW launcher cupola MG mount

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Tried my best to replicate it in a functioning way using the above reference. Without close up pictures of the real thing, there are likely quite a few inaccuracies but I think it looks ok for the few hours I spent on it. Fully scratch build with brass and aluminum tubing, and plasticard.

M-113 with TOW launcher cupola MG mount

M-113 with TOW launcher cupola MG mount

M-113 with TOW launcher cupola MG mount

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M-113 with TOW launcher cupola MG mount

M-113 with TOW launcher cupola MG mount

M-113 with TOW launcher cupola MG mount

M-113 with TOW launcher cupola MG mount

The metal M2 .50 Cal machine gun is from AFV-Model of Germany, quite disappointing for the high price, with molding problems and not built correctly. I will need to rework it and won't order more. You are right Barry, it is a copy of the Tamiya M2.

Next step is to finish the roof detailing, a couple of lights on the front glacis, and then the construction will be pretty much finished. I intend on painting it in Canadian Green/Black camo.

Regards, Louis

[Model Builder 4]

Exceptional attention to detail Louis, this is going to be a master piece

Cheers, Lee.